India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
